The SABC is changing the focus of its afternoon youth strand Hectic Nine-9 by targeting an older skewing demo on SABC2 from today, and also expanding the brand to SABC3 with the introduction of a new afternoon block on that channel entitled Hectic on 3 aimed at a tween audience.
From today the SABC2 youth show Hectic Nine-9, as part of a revamp ordered by the channel and the SABC Children division, is targeting older youth viewers, specifically those between the ages of 14 and 16, although younger viewers can still watch the 30-minute programme between 16:30 and 17:00 on weekdays.
Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 that launched in 2007, retains the established presenters of Chanelle Davids, Anomsa Vantyi and Esona Sogayise and have added Zintle Tunce, Clint Sawyer and Charnte Hartzenberg.
The show says its skewing older to adapt to kids who are more tech-savvy and socially conscious in the age bracket now dropping the tween audience on SABC2 and focusing on teens.
Hectic Nine-9 and Hectic on 3 are both produced by Okuhle Media.
Okuhle Media says Hectic on 3 will "address issues that affect our sophisticated tween audiences, as they navigate the changes from childhood to teenage years and discover who they want to be as their independence grows".
"With over a decade worth of experience in children's television, we're extremely proud about the new shift for the Hectic brand," says Wilna van Schalkwyk, series producer.
"We can now focus specifically on our teen audience with Hectic Nine-9, and can now branch out and focus on a brand-new tween audience with Hectic on 3".
